Exercise Northern Coasts Draws to a Close

By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Danish and German-led Exercise Northern Coasts (NOCO) 2012 came to an end after ten days at sea, Sept. 12.

 During the exercise, more than 40 ships from 15 nations participated in NOCO 2012 including one of the standing NATO mine countermeasures groups (SNMCMG1) and the Baltic countermine squadron.

The mine hunters not only conducted simulated mine countermeasure training, they located and demolished several mines that have been on the sea bed since World War II.

 "It was a good exercise," said Danish navy Commodore Aage Buur Jensen, commander, Danish Task Group. "Since it was the largest Danish led naval exercise ever, I was naturally excited to see how it would go. I can only say that I am satisfied with what I saw. The participating ships did a good job and my staff was able to adapt the exercise along the way."

U.S. participation included a P-3 Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron Nine, out of Honolulu, and Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, out of Rota, Spain. Sailors operated with counterparts from partner nations in Germany and in Danish Navy Bases to become familiar with procedures and practices.

"This just shows that there's a short way from exercise to reality," said Jensen. "Some of the situations we exposed the NOCO participants to, they will most likely meet in the real world. Now, at least, they are better prepared."

Saving a Little Energy Adds Up

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Erik Luebke,

Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Public Works Department (PWD) has been making small changes over the past several years at Capodichino, Support Site, Lago Patria and Carney Park bases in an effort to conserve energy.

This push to save energy in its various forms, such as water, electricity and gas, stems from President Barrack Obama's current energy policy.

"We aren't just conserving energy because we have to," said Luca Guadagnuolo, the utility and energy management (UEM) branch head. "It's also a part of our environmental duty. By conserving energy, we help save the planet."

The UEM team already has many low-cost initiatives in place, including low-flush toilets, motion-sensor lights in offices and replacing low-efficiency light bulbs with ones designed to use less power. However, not all of UEM's energy-saving plans are so small. In 2010, PWD installed solar panels on top of the Capodichino west parking garage which will replace a portion of the electricity used by the base with energy from the sun.

 "We are just waiting for the paperwork right now," said Utilitiesman 2nd Class (SCW) Kyle Ciopryna, a PWD energy manager. "When we turn those solar panels on, they should pay for themselves within just a few years, allowing us to spend that money on other projects, like placing more solar panels on the other garage."

 Another program UEM has in place calls for motivated people to take the roll of building energy and water monitor (BEWM). BEWMs are volunteers who promote and demonstrate good energy use, such as closing open windows when air conditioning is on and turning off lights or running water taps.

 "We've got so many low-cost initiatives in place to cut back energy use that the BEWM program has become one of our major ways to conserve energy," said Ciopryna. "We provide them with support and training in ways that they can help reduce energy consumption and energy waste. We usually have anywhere from 60 to 70 volunteers at any given time."

Reliant Mermaid 2012 Kicks Off

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The Navy will participate in the regularly scheduled Exercise Reliant Mermaid in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 13-16.

Reliant Mermaid, in its 11th iteration, is an annual search and rescue exercise designed to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

Training with other military forces enhances our mutual awareness and maritime capability of our partners. Reliant Mermaid helps create an environment that promotes maritime safety and security in the region, and interoperability among participating nations.

U.S. 6th Fleet units scheduled to participate in the exercise are guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 109), and a P-3 aircraft from Patrol Squadron 9 out of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Reliant Mermaid is a regularly scheduled exercise and is not associated with, or a reaction to any real world events.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full range of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

APS Brings African NCOs to Prepare Training for Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher B. Stoltz, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Sailors from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training (MCAST) helped African sailors develop a senior enlisted leadership curriculum for non-commissioned officers (NCO) at the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa headquarters in Naples, Italy, Aug. 10.

Building off the information learned from earlier Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2012 missions, the course provided eight sailors from Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, and Senegal a training outline for senior enlisted leadership that will be used in future APS missions.

"They've had basic and advanced instructor training from previous training missions and engagements that they're basing the curriculum on," said Chief Equipment Operator David Martin, course instructor. "They showed up well-prepared to further that training with 85 slides already finished and ready to add more."

 The African sailors came together to build a final objective for the training, a mission statement for the NCO trainees, a slideshow of 110 slides and an instructor book.

"We learned how to develop the objective, enable the objective and review the objective that will be used to improve our training methods in our home countries," said Senegalese navy Petty Officer 1st Class Mamadou A. N'Diaye. "We can take this improved curriculum back for our NCOs, so they can learn from it."

During the course, the African sailors noticed personal growth and were excited to get back and teach the new curriculum.

"I'll be able to bring up better leaders with this training," said Nigerian Chief Petty Officer Sylvester Amede Odaiche. "The course in Cameroon was basic and this is advanced, and I feel it has made me a better instructor."

Each instructor will train small classes of about 25 NCOs in advanced leadership courses throughout upcoming APS missions.

"I think that things in the curriculum course are very well organized and very easy to understand," said Gabonese navy Petty Officer 1st Class Pierre Mboulou Allogo. "I learned a lot about leadership and the role of being a leader, and that means training our people to be leaders as well."

APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

Chief of Naval Personnel Emphasizes Readiness to Sailors in Naples

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (EXW/DV) Jack Georges, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The chief of naval personnel stressed the chief of naval operations' three tenets of 'Warfighting First, Operate Forward and Be Ready' during an all-hands call at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, July 12.

Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk emphasized Naval Personnel Command's efforts to manage a sustainable and resilient force composed of the right number of Sailors with the right skills for the job while attracting, recruiting and retaining the highest quality personnel.

"I don't think there is a better example of the chief of naval operations' three tenets of 'Warfighting First, Operate Forward and Be Ready' than all of you here today. You are doing it all in probably the most dynamic theater in the world," said Van Buskirk.

While acknowledging the valuable work of service members in the region, Van Buskirk said the three tenets must also guide the Navy as it considers future challenges.

"One of the areas we have a challenge has to do with jobs on ships that require very specific critical skills. We have some gaps at sea for some very technical ratings," said Van Buskirk.

In response to these vacant positions, the Navy has sought to provide incentives to Sailors with critical skills who return to sea duty early. Incentives include increased opportunities for retention as well as advantages when choosing new assignments.

"I think you may even see some more sea-duty incentive pay available for more ratings too," said Van Buskirk.

Filling sea-duty billets that require critical skills enables the Navy to effectively meet the chief of naval operations' sailing directions.

Van Buskirk said the key is to find the right mix of skill sets, sea and shore billets and to continue providing incentives for sailors to help encourage Sailors to select sea-duty billets.

Van Buskirk is scheduled to continue his trip to Naval Station Rota where he will also interact with Sailors in an effort to hear directly what issues are important to today's Sailors based overseas.

Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia delivers efficient and effective shore service support to U.S. and allied forces operating in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Honoring the Anzio Veterans

By Ensign Chris Collins, USS Mahan Public Affairs Office

NORFOLK (NNS) -- On board guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72), crew members welcomed the Anzio Beachhead Veterans and their families, April 26, commemorating the anniversary of the World War II storming of Anzio Beach in Italy 68 years ago.

On Jan. 22, 1944, the beaches of Anzio, Italy, were assaulted by 40,000 soldiers, over 5,000 vehicles, and more than 250 U.S. Navy vessels, leading into a battle that waged for almost five months.

"I served in the Army from 1941 to 1945 as a .50-caliber machine gunner, 32 months of those years were spent overseas," said Bryant Huffman. "My wife and I still travel to Italy every year, but we always avoid the Anzio area."

The ship hosted the 25 veterans and their families who visited Mahan, where they were given a tour of the missile decks and foc'sle, the 5-inch gun, and the main decks spaces such as Central Command Station, the Mess Decks, and Combat Information Center.

Retired Lt. Col. John Ray, who enlisted on July 5, 1942, spent his Anzio days as an enlisted soldier but received a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) commission following the war. He went on to spend 24 years in the Army, retiring before the Vietnam conflict began.

"I finally left in 1966 as a lieutenant colonel," said Ray, "but I was proud to be a grunt in the 34th Infantry, 2nd Division during the war."

Morris Snyder talked about his experiences during the war; he spent five campaigns fighting in Africa and Europe, where he was wounded on three separate occasions. His third wound resulted in his capture by the German Army. He spent 228 days in a POW camp where he served as the Barracks Chief and Medical Examiner, despite having no medical experience.

After returning home and being offered a commission, he resigned his duties in the military after just two and a half years of service. He then went on to a 40-year career in the steel industry. He was awarded three Silver Stars and most recently the French Legion of Honor, the highest award the French government can bestow.

Snyder is more proud of raising a family than the awards.

"I've got a bunch of shiny stuff they gave me," Snyder said.

The veterans spoke of their excitement being able to visit a warship and learn something new. Mahan Sailors spoke with the veterans, heard their stories, and said they were reminded of the many reasons they chose to fight for their country.

Mahan is currently home ported at Naval Station Norfolk. Last year, the ship completed a U.S. 6th Fleet deployment in support of maritime security and will deploy again in 2013.

USO Tour Shows Nation’s Gratitude, Vice Chairman Says

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

NAVAL AIR STATION NAPLES, Italy, April 17, 2012 – The USO's spring tour not only brightens the day for service members and their families living overseas, but also shows them the nation is grateful for their sacrifices, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a crowded auditorium here yesterday.

“We really are here to see you and thank you for what you are doing in uniform -- serving the United States of America overseas,” Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. said.

The USO has been entertaining troops overseas for decades, Winnefeld said, noting that the Navy named a ship after Bob Hope, who’d headlined many of the tours.

The vice chairman said leading this tour is a privilege, and he thanked the USO, its volunteers and the cast for working hard to bring enjoyment to troops overseas.

Winnefeld is joined by comedian/actor Anthony Anderson; former Major League Baseball pitcher Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson; performer Jason “Wee-Man” Acuna, actor and pitchman Dennis Haysbert; Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Allyson Traylor, Brittany Evans and Kelsi Reich; and former “American Idol” contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young.

Following the show here, service members and their families said they enjoyed an “awesome” show and spoke of their appreciation for the traveling celebrities.

“I liked it a lot,” said Valerie Stein, a Navy spouse who watched the Naples show with her husband. “It shows that everyone is thinking about us over here and cares about us.”

Her husband, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joel Stein, said he also enjoyed the show and it had a “good group of celebrities.”

“I'm a baseball fan, so I liked Randy Johnson [the most], but I like ‘The Unit,’ too,” he said, referring to a 2006-2009 series in which Haysbert starred as a member of a special operations unit. “I liked all of those guys.”

Valerie Stein, a native of Westerfield, N.Y., said the Stein family has been in Italy for a year, and she noted the USO tour is important because it “brings a piece of home” to the base.

“Just keep up the good work and keep the celebrities coming as much as they can,” she added. “It helps us get through being away and everything.”

Another Navy spouse, Heather Hawkins, said she enjoyed the cheerleaders during the show.

“It was awesome, and I had a really good time,” she said. “We came from Texas, so the Cowboys [cheerleaders] were awesome to see there.”

Hawkins said she cried when the cast sang “God Bless America,” and thanked the families in the audience. “That means a lot, and it is hard, because you are apart sometimes,” she said.

If she had an opportunity to speak to the USO talent, she added, she would express her gratitude.

“I'd thank them for taking the time out -- they're busy, I know they're busy -- and I don't think they fully understand how much it does mean that they recognize the troops and the sacrifices they make,” she said. “Even the families -- I really appreciated that. Sometimes the families get [forgotten].”

Hawkins said she would encourage more celebrities to travel overseas on USO tours.

“I don't think they understand what it means to see familiar faces from home,” she said. “It kind of keeps the morale of the troops up, and families’ as well.”